Maresca DEMANDS €80m transfer

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca is still hoping to sign Jhon Duran from Aston Villa before the close of the January transfer window.

Duran has agreed a deal with Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr, but after chasing the Colombia international in the summer, Maresca is determined to ensure that he does not miss out on the player again.

READ MORE: Aston Villa ACCEPT Duran offer as €100m U-turn made

Indeed, the Italian has insisted that Chelsea revisit the deal and trump Al-Nassr’s €70 million offer with one €10m higher, according to Fichajes.

It claims that the deal could be unlocked by Joao Felix’s proposed move to Aston Villa. The Portugal international has struggled to be a factor since arriving at Stamford Bridge permanently in the summer in a deal worth €52 million and could be offloaded immediately.

Villa boss Unai Emery is known to love the player – Fabrizio Romano claims the Spaniard is “obsessed” – and the Birmingham club would take any opportunity to finalise a deal.

Duran, meanwhile, is said to be keen on joining Chelsea because of the possibility of unlocking European football on a regular basis for him.

READ MORE: Deal agreed as Blues attempt Arsenal hijack

Will Jhon Duran join Chelsea?

For all this to come together, though, is difficult.

Although Chelsea and Villa have been in discussions over Axel Disasi, there are few indications that a deal for Joao Felix, who is the kingmaker in this transfer saga, is particularly close at this stage.

On the other hand, Duran to Al-Nassr appears close to being concluded. Aston Villa will not get the €100 million fee they were asking for at the start of the transfer window, but they have the consolation that the Colombia international will not be going to direct rival in either the Premier League or Champions League.

Maresca will have to look elsewhere for his offensive solutions, with time quickly running out before Deadline Day on 3 February.